The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers…
THE ATHLETIC
Ashley Cole is set to leave Birmingham City and join The Football Association (FA) on a full-time basis.
Real Madrid have reached an agreement in principle with 17-year-old centre-back Joan Martinez over the renewal of his contract.
Newcastle United forward Garang Kuol has suffered a grade three tear to his right quad, which disrupted a planned transfer window move.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi has returned to training for the first time in 10 months after injury.
THE SUN
Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur could face up to 12 games on the sidelines following his FA charge.
David Beckham will lead soccer legends and dignitaries saluting England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson at his star-studded funeral in Sweden on Friday.
Arsenal ace Jorginho revealed he is planning to transition to coaching after his retirement.
Manchester United’s transfer stance helped them pay below asking price for all but one of their summer acquisitions.
Steve Cooper is battling to keep some of Leicester’s senior players on board after just three games in charge.
Chelsea’s Europa Conference League group stage match against Astana has been moved over 770 miles away from the original location.
Manchester United reportedly explored a £25m move for Jonathan David as an alternative to Joshua Zirkzee.
Chelsea want to sell Carney Chukwuemeka and are not interested in loaning him out, according to reports.
Liverpool almost signed Pumas star Cesar Huerta just before the summer transfer window slammed shut but a late “issue” led to the deal falling apart.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is not facing punishment from The FA for alleged racist and homophobic chanting, despite Rodrigo Bentancur being charged with aiming a slur at his Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Heung-Min Son.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is not facing punishment from The FA for racist and homophobic chanting
A proposal for an Anglo-Welsh league is being considered by Premiership clubs as part of a consultation to explore ways of increasing the value of future broadcasting deals.
Ben Chilwell is hoping to be included in Chelsea’s 25-man Premier League squad, with the left-back not expected to move on loan to Turkey.
LIV Golf’s new individual champion will not only walk away with a huge cheque but they will also be gifted a gaudy championship ring filled with gems and a QR code.
THE GUARDIAN
Celta Vigo’s former captain Hugo Mallo has been found guilty of the sexual assault of a woman who was working as the Espanyol mascot in the final moments before a game in La Liga.
The Sale Sharks second-row Jonny Hill is set to learn his fate when he meets with the police on Monday after an investigation was launched following an incident with a Bath supporter at last season’s semi-final at the Rec in June.
DAILY MAIL
Erling Haaland can take compassionate leave if the Manchester City striker requires time away after the death of close friend Ivar Eggja.
Manuel Ugarte is in line to make his debut for Manchester United at Southampton on Saturday after returning from international duty with Uruguay.
Manuel Ugarte is in line to make his debut for Manchester United at Southampton on Saturday
PSG have refused to pay Kylian Mbappe almost £50m in unpaid wages despite being ordered to do so – with the explosive saga now set to be settled in court.
Rafael Nadal has raised further concerns about his future after announcing that he has pulled out of the Laver Cup.
DAILY MIRROR
Mohamed Salah’s agent has increased speculation over his future at Liverpool after posting an angry rant on social media.
THE TIMES
Manchester United may have escaped a charge for breaching Premier League financial rules by being allowed to claim as “adjustments” a controversial Covid loss of £40m and a similar sum relating to the cost of the sale of shares to Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The head of the players’ union has said the rash of injuries suffered by Premier League stars during the international break “comes as no surprise” due to the demands of the relentless fixture calendar.
A “plague” of cocaine use among rugby players in France has prompted two leading clubs to subject its stars to random drug tests.
DAILY STAR
Liverpool legend Djibril Cisse has been accused of tax evasion in France.
DAILY RECORD
James Tavernier is set to remain at Rangers after snubbing a move to Turkey.
James Tavernier is set to remain at Rangers after snubbing a move to Turkey
John Eustace has claimed Todd Cantwell wasn’t where he wanted to be last season during his time at Rangers and will now be able to “showcase” himself at Blackburn Rovers.
SCOTTISH SUN
Rangers and Aberdeen will face off at an SPFL tribunal to settle Connor Barron’s transfer fee.
Lennon Miller and David Watson have been ranked among the best teenagers in world football.
A delegation from the Scottish FA is set to propose some far-reaching rule changes to help tackle the lack of first-team opportunities for young players in Scottish football.